Sasha Obama, 25, made a rare public appearance at the Obama Presidential Center’s grand opening ceremony in Chicago on Thursday, June 18, stepping onto the stage alongside her parents, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, at the star-studded event held in Jackson Park.
Her sister Malia Obama, 27, also attended the dedication ceremony, marking an uncommonly public moment for the former first daughters, who have largely stayed out of the spotlight since their family left the White House in 2017. According to People, the daughters have only occasionally appeared at major events with their parents in recent years, including a courtside appearance at the NBA All-Star Game in February 2026.
The Obama daughters sat alongside their parents and other former presidents and first ladies at the dedication ceremony, which was livestreamed beginning at 11 a.m. CT and featured performances by Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, and other musical icons. The event officially dedicated the sprawling 19.3-acre campus in Chicago’s historic Jackson Park, where the Obamas’ story began on the South Side.
The Obama Presidential Center is designed as more than a traditional presidential library. The 19.3-acre campus features a world-class museum, a new branch of the Chicago Public Library, public gathering spaces, gardens, and recreational facilities including Home Court, an athletics and community hub. The museum itself is the first fully digital museum of its kind, according to PBS, with no official papers on display. Instead, visitors experience interactive digital exhibits and replicas of American milestones.
The center opens to the public on Friday, June 19, 2026—Juneteenth—marking a symbolic date chosen by the Obama Foundation. The public opening weekend runs through Sunday, June 21, with free, open-house style events. The dedication ceremony on June 18 brought together invited guests, including President Joe Biden, to mark the official opening of what the Obama Foundation describes as a civic and cultural destination built on the South Side where the Obamas’ journey began.
Malia has pursued a career in the film industry in recent years, working with artist Donald Glover on projects including the Amazon Prime series Swarm and her short film directorial debut, The Heart, which premiered at major film festivals including Sundance in 2024. Sasha graduated from USC and has maintained a largely private life. In June 2024, former President Obama told late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that his wife Michelle had “drilled into them so early that you would be crazy to go into politics,” adding that his daughters are “powerful young women.”
Sources
- People — Malia and Sasha Obama’s rare public appearance at the Obama Presidential Center opening, their ages, and their limited public appearances since leaving the White House
- Obama Foundation — Details on the 19.3-acre campus, opening dates (June 18 dedication, June 19 public opening), features including museum and library, and livestream timing
- PBS — Information that the museum is the first fully digital museum of its kind with no official papers on display
- Chicago Tribune — Details on the dedication ceremony performers and the South Side location
